The Pulse

Farming is a tough gig — physically, and mentally.  And it’s only gotten harder in recent years, with the impact of climate change and a shifting political and economic landscape. On this episode, we explore the connection between farming and health, and how these new challenges are affecting the well-being of the people who produce our food.

We live in a noisy world — from the din of busy restaurants, to the roar of traffic, to the clamor of partying neighbors. We’ll explore what researchers are learning about the connections between noise, hearing loss and our well-being.

On this episode, we explore the stories of people who survived extraordinary trials, from life-threatening illnesses to assault, and ask what came after survival. We’ll hear what it’s like to survive — and come back from — locked-in syndrome, explore the emotional roller coaster of being a young cancer survivor, and find out how one writer created guide to intimacy after sexual assault.

What comes to mind when you think of the ocean? Maybe a day at the beach — swimming in the waves, snorkeling through coral reefs, fishing, surfing, and sunsets that kiss the blue horizon. But Earth’s oceans are more than that; they’re our planet’s defining feature, its largest ecosystem, and the original source of all life. On this encore episode, we explore the engine that powers our planet.

We’ve only been able to harness the cold for our benefit for a little over 100 years, but innovations like refrigeration and air conditioning have completely transformed the way we live and eat. But it all comes at a cost — and not just financially. On this encore episode, how advances in cold technology have shaped our lives and changed the world. 

Twenty-five years ago, President Bill Clinton announced a historic achievement: The completion of the first-ever survey of the human genome. The ceremony focused on the power of unity and collaboration — but, behind the scenes, the journey to this generational discovery had been marked by a bitter, cut-throat competition. We  look back at the race to decode the human genome — and who really won.

Creativity plays a role in every facet of our lives, from childhood education, to everyday problem-solving, to the artistic works we enjoy and the innovations shaping our future. We explore what human creativity is, how it works, and some of the unexpected ways it’s remaking our world.